Method of flavoring food by addition of benzoxepin-3-ones and benzodioxepin-3-ones

ABSTRACT

Benzoxepin-3-ones and Benzodioxepin-3-ones, prepared by a novel synthesis, are useful as flavor and odorant agents for foods and perfumes respectively to impart a watermelonlike taste and odor.

United States Patent Beereboom et al.

[4 1 Mar. 7, 1972 [54] METHOD OF FLAVORING FOOD BY ADDITION OF BENZOXEPIN-3-ONES AND BENZODIOXEPIN-3-ONES Inventors: John J. Beereboom, Old Lyme; Donald P. Cameron; Charles R. Stephens, both of New London, all of Conn.

Assignee: Plizer Inc., New York, N.Y.

Filed: Oct. 28, 1969 App1.No.: 2,058

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 572,206, Aug. 15, 1966.

U.S. Cl.

Int. Cl. Field of Search...

.....A23I 1/22 ..99/l40 R; 260/333, 340.3

Rosnati et al. Chemical & Spectroscopic Properties of 2- Formyl-l ,4-Benzodioxane and 3-Keto-3,4-Dihydro-2H-1,5- Benzodioxepin," TETRAI-IEDRON, Vol. 18 (I962) pp. 289- 298.

Primary Examiner-Morris O. Wolk Assistant Examiner-Warren Bovee Attorney-Connolly and Hutz ABSTRACT Benzoxepin-3-ones and Benzodioxepin-3-ones, prepared by a novel synthesis, are useful as flavor and odorant agents for foods and perfumes respectively to impart a watermelonlike taste and odor.

4 Claims, No Drawings METHOD OF FLAVORING FOOD BY ADDITION OF BENZOXEPlN-Z-ONES AND BENZODlOXEPlN-S-ONES This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 572,206, filed Aug. 15, 1966, now US. Pat. No. $517,031.

This invention relates to novel chemical compounds and their use as flavor and odor agents. More specifically, this invention relates to novel benzoxepin-3-one and benzodioxepin- 3-one compounds which are valuable food flavor agents and perfume odor agents.

Among the objects of this invention is to provide novel compounds which impart a fresh, leafy or green taste to foods and a pleasant, leafy odor to perfumes as well as to foods. The odor and taste are reminiscent of melons. Another object is to provide a method for the preparation of these compounds from compounds which are known to those familiar with the art.

Broadly, this invention relates to compounds of the formula:

where R, and R are each selected from hydrogen and alkyl having from i to 4 carbon atoms and X is oxygen or methylene. This invention also relates to valuable intermediates of the formula:

i O R;

where R and X are as aforesaid and R is alkyl having from I to 4 carbon atoms. This invention further includes processes for the preparation of these compounds from known materials of the formula:

where R,, R and X are as aforesaid are useful as flavor and odor agents for edibles and as odor agents for perfumes and cosmetics. Compounds of the formula:

are valuable intermediates and are also useful as chelating agents.

The valuable benzodioxepin compounds of this invention are prepared from substituted and unsubstituted catechol-0,0- diacetic acid esters which in turn are prepared according to the procedure of W. Carter and W. Trevor Lawrence, J. Chem. Soc., Vol. 77, page 1,222 (1900). The benzoxepin compounds of this invention are prepared from the corresponding 2-carbalkoxymethylphenoxyacetic acid esters which in turn are prepared from Z-hydroxy-phenoxynacetic acid esters by the procedure of Carter and Lawrence. These compounds are reacted in accordance with the following reaction scheme:

i 0 OR OCH2- ORa O H Base R1 R 0:0

(I) Solvent OCH -AIOR O-C 2 n (ii-OR O-GH O-CH2 (2) III /O-( JH Base/solvent R C=O RZX] 4 O--C 2 (3) IV and i O-GHz--OR; OCH

Base

0 Solvent A CHz-CHz- -OR3 VI CHr-CH;

O E OR.

O O-CH H E R C=0 HO 0:0 2 GE -CH2 CHr-CH (5) VII Base/Solvent 1 0:0 RgX CHr-CHg (6) VIII A preferred embodiment of this invention is the process for the preparation of a compound selected from the group consisting of those having the formula:

where R R and X are as aforesaid, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula:

- aforesaid anhydrous organic solvent is selected from dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether.

Still another preferred embodiment of this invention is the process for preparing compounds of the formula:

where R R and X are as aforesaid, which comprises contacting a compound of the formula:

=0 see;

Another preferred embodiment of this invention is the aforesaid process wherein the anhydrous organic solvent is dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether.

A further preferred embodiment is the compound 7-methyl- 3 ,4-dihydro-2H-1,5'benzodioxepin-3-one.

Yet another preferred embodiment is the compound 6- methyl-3 ,4-dihydro-2H-1,S-benzodioxepin-S-one.

Still another preferred embodiment is the compound 2,7- dimethyl-3 ,4-dihydro-2l-l-1,S-benzodioxepin-Ii-one.

Another preferred embodiment is the compound 3,4- dihydro-ZH-l ,S-benzodioxepin-B-one.

Still another preferred embodiment is the compound 2,8- dimethyl-3 ,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-3-one.

Another preferred embodiment is the compound 3,4- dihydro-ZH-l-benzoxepin-3-one.

Another preferred embodiment is the compound 2-methyl- 3 ,4-dihydro-2H- l -benzoxepin-3-one.

A further preferred embodiment of this invention is the method for flavoring foods which comprises adding from about 0.001 to 0.0001 0.1% by weight of a compound having the formula:

where R,, R and X are as aforesaid.

Another preferred embodiment of this invention is the method for enhancing the odor of perfumes which comprises adding from about 0.0001 to about 1.0% by weight of a com pound having the formula:

where R,, R and X are as aforesaid, where R R R and X have the meanings defined hereinbefore.

in step (1), the substituted-catechol-0,0-diacetic acid diester which is conveniently prepared by the procedure of Carter and Lawrence, is reacted with at least a molar equivalent amount, and preferably an excess to ensure complete reaction, of a strong base. On the basis of their availability and convenience in use, a sodium or potassium alkoxide, where alkoxide has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, sodamide, sodium hydride or a trialkylamine where alkyl has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred. The reaction is conducted in a reaction-inert solvent that does not contain active hydrogens. Such readily available solvents as tetrahydrofuran,

dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide and ethylene glycol dimethyl ether are preferred. The reaction is conducted at temperatures from about 25 C. up to the boiling point of the solvent mixture and under an inert and dry gas atmosphere. Dry nitrogen is particularly convenient. While the order of adding the reactants is not critical, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that in exothermic reactions such as this it is preferable to add a solution of one of the reactants slowly to a solution of the second reactant. It is convenient in this reaction to slowly add a solution of the substituted-catechol to a stirred suspension of the basic reagent in the solvent at room temperature and allow the rate of addition to control the reaction temperature. The temperature is allowed to rise to reflux and is refluxed for from 15 minutes to several hours, depending of course on the size of the batch. While the reaction can be conducted at lower temperatures it is not efficient, in terms of reaction time and final yield, to do so. The product (11) is recovered from the reaction mixture after having been cooled to room temperature by pouring into a large volume of ice water and acidifying to a pH of about 2.5. The mixture is extracted with a water-immiscible organic solvent such as diethyl ether, preferably in several portions. The ether portions are combined and dried with a desiccant such as anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the ether layer yields product II.

The procedure for obtaining the product VI from the 2-carboalkoxy ethylphenoxyacetic acid ether (V) is identical to that described above.

The 3,4-dihydro-2I'I-l ,S-benzodioxepin-B-one (III) and 3,4- dihydro-2I-I-l-benzoxepin-3-one (VII) compounds are obtained by hydrolyzing the carboalkoxy groups from position 2 of the benzodioxepin and benzoxepin ring systems. The compounds II and VI are dissolved in a watermiscible organic solvent such as a lower alcohol, and added to a dilute aqueous mineral acid such as 5 percent aqueous hydrochloric acid or the like. The mixture is heated to reflux and stirred for several hours or longer depending on the size of the batch. After cooling, the mixture is poured into water and extracted with a water-immiscible organic solvent such as diethyl ether. After drying the ether with a desiccant such as anhydrous sodium sulfate, the ether is evaporated. Distillation in vacuo yields the product III or VII.

The' 2-substituted-3,4-dihydro-2I-I- l ,5-benzodioxepin (IV) and 2-substituted-3,4-dihydro-2H-lbenzoxepin (VIII) are prepared from the carboalkoxy intermediates (II) and (VI) by reacting them with an alkyl halide in the presence of a strong base selected from those previously described for cyclization of the heterocyclic ring and in one of the aforementioned solvents. While the order of addition of the reactants is not critical, it is convenient to add a molar equivalent amount of the alkyl halide dissolved in the solvent to a stirred mixture of a molar equivalent amount of the base and the 2-carboalkoxy intermediate suspended and dissolved respectively, in the same solvent. The alkyl halides are those having from l to 4 carbon atoms and where halide is chloride, bromide or iodide. The reaction may be conducted at from about 0 C. up to about 100C. For convenience, the reaction is preferably conducted at room temperature for from about I to 3 hours and then raised to the boiling point of the solvent mixture for a further time to ensure completeness of the reaction. The reaction products IV and VIII are recovered in the same manner as described above for the recovery of compounds (III) and (VII).

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the com pounds which have alkyl substituents on the benzene ring of the Z-aIkyI-benzodioxepin compounds are mixtures of isomers. For example:

I CH3 2, S-dimethyl-(i, 4-dIhydro-2H-1, E-benzodioxepln-B-onc Lack of knowledge of the exact relative proportions of the two products does not affect the utilylcatechol, 0,0-diacetate in 900 ml. of dry ethylene glycol dimethyl ether over a 3-hour period. As the addition proceeds, the reaction temperature rises and is held at reflux by adjusting the rate of addition. At the end of the addition, the reacting mixture is refluxed for 30 minutes, cooled to room temperature and poured into 6 liters of ice water. The resulting suspension is acidified to pH 2.5 and extracted with 4-liter portions of ether. The combined ether layers are washed with 500 ml. of water and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the ether in vacuo provides 134.3 grams percent) of the crude esters; b.p. l4l-l43 C. (1 mm Hg); I.R. Spectra/CHCI Maxima: 5.63, 5.72 u; N.M.R./CDCl -2.25 (3H, singlet), 3.83 (3H, singlet). 4.69 (2H, multiplet), 5.33 (1H, singlet), 6.88 (3H, multiplet) ppm. 7 I

A solution of 126 grams (0.534 mole) of the crude esters, 7- and 8-methyl-2-carbomethoxy-3-oxo-3 ,4'dihydro-2H- l ,5- benzodioxepin, in 325 ml. of ethanol and 325 ml. of 5% hydrochloric acid is stirred at reflux temperature for 8 hours. The solution is poured into 1 liter of water and extracted with five 200 ml. portions of ethyl ether. Evaporation of the ether followed by distillation provides 88 grams (93 percent) of 7- methyl-3-oxo-3 ,4-dihydro-2( H I ,S-benzodioxepin; b.p. 88-9l C. (0.7 mm Hg); infrared max./CI*ICl 5.72 u; N.M.R.ICDCI -2.27 (3H, singlet); 4.68 (3H, singlet); 6.83 (3H, multiplet) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE II The products of Table I are prepared by the procedure of Example I from the appropriate starting material.

Substituted-3,4- dlhydro-ZH-l- R1 benzodioxepin-S-one 4-rnethyl or fi-methyl 7-rnethyl. ti-ethyl or 5-ethyl 7-ethyl.

4-Isopropyl or B-isopropyl 7-isopropyl. 4-tertlarybutyl or fi-tertiarybut 7-tertlarybutyl. gin-butyl or fi-n-butyl fin-butyl. a-mtifiililllIIIIIIIIIIIII.......IIIIII: G-rnthyl. fl-isopropyl fi-isopropyl.

EXAMPLE Ill 7-methyl-3 ,4-dihydro-2H- l benzoxepin-3-one To a stirred suspension of 50.8 grams (1.3 moles) of sodamide in 900 ml. of dry tetrahydrofuran is added, under a nitrogen atmosphere, a solution of I50 grams (0.6 mole) of 2- (2-carbomethoxymethyl-4-methyl-phenoxyacetic acid methyl ester in 900 ml. of tetrahydrofuran over a 3-hour period. The grams of Sodium meihoxide and 400 of ethylene glycol reaction temperature rises and is held at reflux. At the end of yl ether a added with stirring a Sqlution of the addition, the reaction is refluxed for an additional 30 grams of methyl iodide in 50 of ethylene glycol dimethyl minutes7 then l d to room temperature d poured i 6 ether. The reaction was stirred for two hours at 25 C. and liters of ice water. The resulting suspension is acidified to pH then at reflux for 1 hour. The mixture was poured into 1 liter 2.5 and extracted with four l-liter portions of ether. The comof water and acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. bined ether layers are washed with 500 ml. of water and dried Af i i at fl f 16 hours, h Suspension was over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Evaporation of the ether protraeted f r time with 200 ml. portions of ether. The com- VidFS y yy b ined ether layers were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate P and evaporated in vacuo to give 16 grams of crude product.

The crude ester mixture is stirred for 8 hours in a mixture of gf 'j a h provided 13. 5 grams f product bp.

325 ml. of ethanol and 325 ml. of 5% aqueous hydrochloric (06 mm i f d maXJCHQa,

acid at reflux. The solution is poured into 1 liter of water and w sodamide, trimethylamine, "Lmbuwlamine Sodium extracted with five, 200 ml. portions of ethyl ether. Evaporabutoxide, sodium ethoxide potassium methoxide pznassium tion of the ether fonowed y distillation P 7'methyl' butoxide or sodium hydride are substituted for sodium 3,4-dihydro-2l-l-l-benzoxepin-3-one.

When dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, ethylene $32222 m reacnon equivalent welds of product are glycol dimethyl ether are substltuted for tetrahydrofuran solwhen Solvents Such as dimethylformamide, tetrahydrof;

vent m thls reacnon equivalent ylelds of product are obran, and dimethylsulfoxide are substituted for ethylene glycol tained.

when sodium y sodium methoxidesodium ethoxide dimethyl ether in this reaction, equivalent yields of product potassium methoxide and potassium ethoxide, sodium butoxare obtamed' ide or potassium butoxide are substituted for sodamide in this reaction, equivalent yields of product are obtained. EXAMPLE V1 7 EXAMPLE lV 7-Methyl-2-n-butyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-l ,S-benzodioxepin-Ii-one 8-Methyl-2-n-butyl-3 ,4-dihydro-2H- l ,5-benzodioxepin-3-one The products of Table ll are prepared by the procedure of To a Solution of 25 grams Sodium hydn-de in 100 ml. of dry Example In from the appropriate Starting material" dimethylformamide was added 23.6 grams of a mixture of 7- and 8-methyl-2-carbomethoxy-3-oxo-3 ,4-dihydro-2H- l ,5- TABLE 11 s 1 Ma benzodioxepm prepared according to Example I. The solution tart Hg 5 Product was stirred for ten minutes and treated with 15 grams of n- H butyl bromide in 30 ml. dimethylformamide. The solution was CH1 0:011 g d f -ggminutesand then heated on a steam bath for two hours. After cooling, it was poured into 1 liter of 5 percent R1 R1 C=O 0 aqueous hydrochloric acid and the resulting mixture was ll u CHPCHPO OCHQ CHFCH: stirred and heated for X2 hours at l( )0 C. The product was recoveregby ether extraction to provide, after distillation, l4 gggfggfg'igff 40 grams of a mixture of 7- and 8-methyl-2-butyl-3,4-dihydr0- R1 benzoxepin-a-one 2l-l-l,5-benzodioxepin-3-one, b.p. 92-9l C. (0.2 mm. Hg); methyl WmethYL Infrared max./CHCl 5.72 u. 3-ethy1 fi-ethyl. 4-n-propyl, 7-n-propyl. 3-isopropyl fi-isopropyl. EXAMPLE Vll 4-tertiarybutyl. 7-tertiarybutyl. 3-n-butyl fi-n-butyl. 6565511 gq The products of TABLE Ill are prepared by the procedure y hylof Example Vl from the appropriate starting materials.

MM mm TABLE III Starting Maoteriai Alkyl Halide Product ll O-CH O-JIH 112x R1 /CO R1 CO O-CH: O-Cg R1 Rzx R1 R:

H H- Methyl. 6- and Q-methyl Methyl chloride 6- nd 9-methyl Ethyl. 7- and S-methyl--. Ethyl chlorlde 7- and B-methyl Ethyl. 7- and 8-n-propyl.. Methyl iodide 7- and 8-n-propyl.- Methyl. 6- and Q-isopropyln-Butyl bromide.- 6- and Q-lsopropyl. n-Butyl. 6- and 9-n-buty1... lsopropyl chloride. 6- and Q-n-butyl... Isopropyl. 6- and 9-see.buty1 Tert.butyl bromide. 6- and 9-sec. butyl. Tert. butyl. 7- and 8-tert. butyl n-Propyl iodide 7- and S-tert. butyl n-Propyl.

EXAMPLE V EXAMPLE Vlll y -M- y ,5-benz0di0Xepin-3-One 2,7-Dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2l-ll -benzoxepin-3-one To a mixture of grams of methyl Y To a stirred suspension of 50.8 grams l .3 moles) of sodium H- i x pi -2 yl pr p from ethoxide in 900 ml. of dry dimethyl sulfoxide, is added under a catecholloio-diacetate y the Procedure of Example I, nitrogen atmosphere, a solution of grams (0.6 mole) of 2- (Z-carbomethoxy ethyl)-4-methyl-phenoxyacetic acid methyl ester in 900 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide over a 3-hour period. The temperature rises during the addition and is held at reflux. At the end of the addition the reaction is refluxed for an additional 30 minutes and is then cooled to room temperature and poured into 6 liters of ice water. When the resulting suspension is acidified to pH 2.5, extracted with ether, washed with water, dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and the ether is evaporated, 7-methyl-2-carbomethoxy-3-oxo-3,4-dihydro- 2H- 1 -benzoxepin is obtained.

A solution of 17 grams of methyl iodide in 50 ml. of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether is added to a mixture of the crude ester, 5.5 grams of sodium methoxide and 400 ml. of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The mixture was stirred at 25 C. for 2 hours and then allowed to reflux for 1 hour. The mixture is poured into 1 liter of water and acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. After stirring at reflux for 16 hours, the suspension is extracted four times with 200 ml. portions of ether. The combined ether layers are dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated in vacuo to give 2,7-dimethy1- 3 ,4-dihydro-21-l-1-benzoxepin-3-one.

EXAMPLE lX When 0.0001 gram of 3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzoxepin-3-one is added to 100 grams of unflavored gelatin and the mixture is added to one quart of boiling water, stirred for minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature, a gelled food is obtained that possesses a pleasant watermelon taste and odor 3-one is added to 100 grams of unflavored gelatin and the mixture is added to one quart of boiling water, stirred for 5 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature, a pleasant tasting gel is formed that has a watermelon taste and odor.

. mi ifivec miet Propylene glycol Watennelon ketone Watermelon ketone:

EXAMPLE XII A green vegetable effect that resembles the odor and taste of green snap beans and that of cucumbers is obtained when 1.0 weight percent of the watermelon ketones of Table V, Example Xl are formulated with the auxiliary chemicals of Table VI and blended for 48 hours. The resulting liquid flavor imparts a distinct fresh taste when added to precooked snap beans at a 70 p.p.m. level.

TABLE VI EXAMPLE X The benzoxepin compounds of Table IV are prepared by l d, WW the procedure of Example V111 from the starting materials and I S alk lhalides listed.

y 40 Hexenal Methyl heptine carbonate 0.10 TABLE IV Propylene glycol 96.90 Starting Material Alkyl Halide PIOdllGt Oil clarysage french 0.50

C") Watermelon ketone 1.0 C-O CH; R:

|0o.o OCH 0- JH R X B1 c- R1 o-o EXAMPLE Xlll CH -CH, car-0H, R1 32X A synthetic otto violet leaf extract was prepared with the inth I M th 1 i0 (11 de 6mm] 1 Math 1 gredients of Table Vll using the watermelon ketones of Exame a y koprgpyuodide f g ple X]. The extract at a level of 1,000 ppm. was added to fi y fi qg 7- y ag y toilet powder and gave a leafy efiect to the odor of the y c on e y n-B1(11ty1bromide n-Bigyl. P O Isobutyl iodide. TABLE v" 9-methy1 Methyl chloride"..- 9-methy1 9-n-buty1 ..do 9-n-buty1 E A P E XI Extract Gums A synthetic, watermelon flavor was prepared with a waterlonone alpha 55.0 melon ketone from those in Table V. Each of the ketones was Methyl P carbonate Sandalwood oll 10.0 formulated with the auxiliary chemicals to obtain the water- Concrete 40 melon-flavored extract at a level of 0.001 and at 0.1 weight Ethyl myristinate 1.0 percent. Guaiac wood oil 4,0 The extracts gave a fruitful watermelon flavor at a level of 2:3 200 ppm. when added to a noncarbonated soft drink, made my alcohol mo from 14 g. sugar, 0.25 g. citric acid and 100 g. water. W "W m n TABLE V N M f 7 Auxiliary chemicals: we, Toilet Powder Grams Methyl ionone 0. 010 Neofoline 0.010 40 0 Methyl heptine carbonate- 0.002 Benzaldehyde 0. 020 Ka in 25.0 Diacetyl 0. 040 Zinc stearate 15.0 Ethyl butyrate 0- 6 Magnesium carbonate 10.0

Zinc oxide Extract EXAMPLE XIV When the perfume extract of Example XIII is further diluted with ethyl alcohol so that the concentration of watermelon ketone is reduced from 5,000 p.p.m. (0.5 percent) to 1.0 p.p.m. (0.000] percent); a perfume having a fresh, leafy bouquet is obtained.

Similarly, when the concentration of watermelon ketone in l the extract of Example XIII is increased to 1 percent by reducing the amount of ethyl alcohol to 9.5 grams and adding a further 0.5 gram of watermelon ketone, a heavier leafy bouquet is obtained from the extract.

What is claimed is:

l. The method for flavoring foods which comprises adding to the foods from about 0.0001 percent to about 0.1 percent by weight of a compound selected from the group consisting of those having the formula:

B2 O-JJH XCH2 

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein R1 is located in the 7-position and is methyl, R2 is hydrogen and X is oxygen.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein R1 is hydrogen, R2 is methyl and X is oxygen.
 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen and X is methylene. 